Two-day Multi District Peace Conference ‘Symphony’ kicks off in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, September 1, 2018: A two-day Multi District Peace Conference ‘Symphony’ kicked off here at Hotel Marigold in Hyderabad city late afternoon on Saturday. About 400 Rotarians from five Rotary districts spread across South India descended in Hyderabad for the Peace conference. The inaugural ceremony was marked by cultural programs by students of Sister Nivedita School. Invocation dance, Curtain raiser dance performed depicting the 6 focus areas of Rotary International won the hearts of the audience. Chief Guest Dr. Bharat Pandhya, Rotary International Director Elect in his address in the inaugural session on ‘Positive Peace’ said that in a world of increasing violence and terror, Rotary works towards peace, goodwill and understanding. Rotary has a long history of working towards peace. Through its activities it develops conducive conditions helping people progress. Peace is a quality of life. If you look at peace and service, they are not related. But if you see closely and observe they have a deep underlying connect. When all sections of society are in harmony peace comes along, said Dr. Bharat Pandhya For positive peace, bread, bed and basic education are important. And Rotarians through their service activities provide food, shelter, healthcare and education, Dr. Bharat said. We all want to be go-getters, but we all also need to be go-givers. Giving and sharing what you have will result in satisfaction, contentment and positive peace, he added. The first step of peace begins with us, we must have tolerance, forgiveness and positive attitude for peace, he said. Tolerance is the root cause for peace, he opined. Another Guest Rtn. Kamal Sanghvi, Rotary Intl Director Elect in his address said that for him peace is to provide food to hungry, sight to blind, house to homeless and water to thirsty. He said that Rotarians believe that in giving we receive, they believe in sharing things which they have. Giving examples of various activities that Rotarians take up, Rtn. Kamal Sanghvi spoke about providing of drinking water. As per a UN report, a child dies from water-related disease every 15 seconds in the world. He gave examples of Rotary projects which provided potable water to people. They brought smiles to the faces of people suffering. Rotarians have ability to bring smiles, to bring peace, he said. He gave examples of how in Jharkhand and Bihar Rotarians did great work in providing safe drinking water. By distributing 2802 school benches for Govt Schools today morning, Rotarians brought dignity to children studying there. By providing education to girls and providing them vocational training, they bring dignity and peace to them, said Rtn. Kamal Sanghvi. Speaking about the contributions of Rotarians, Kamal Sanghvi said that if it weren’t for Rotarians every 3 child in India would have been crippled, he said. In his welcome address Conference Chairman Rtn. V. Jawahar said that Rotary believes that every person is entitled to peace and we give them peace. Though our service activities we give people hope and through hope we give peace. The Rotary Peace Conference is organized to give an opportunity for Rotarians to come together, learn from their leaders and experts, become inspired and leave with immediate action plans to implement within their communities. District Governon Ramesh Vangala of Rotary Intl Dist 3150 addressing the gathering said that Rotarians promote peace, prevent and cure disease, provide clean water and sanitation, support basic education and literacy, and provide economic and community development. When everyone is literate, harmony and peace will prevail, he said. Rotary Foundation works in six focus areas viz. peace and conflict resolution, maternal and child care, basic education and literacy, water and sanitation, disease prevention and treatment and economic & community development. An economically strong, literate and happy society will be at peace, Ramesh Vangala said. The two-day peace conference is to conclude tomorrow afternoon. Rotary District 3150, 3132, 3160, 3181 and 3182 together organized this Peace Conference to reiterate Rotarian's commitment and pledge towards promoting World Understanding, Good Will, and Peace through improvement of Health, the support of education and alleviation of Poverty.